Trail Blazers vs Pistons Wednesday, 11/18/09 AT 07:00PM

Trail Blazers return home to face Detroit

11/17/09

Written by: Max Mandel



While some fans may still be mourning the difficult loss to Atlanta Monday night, it's important to remember just how successful of a road trip the Portland Trail Blazers put together. After winning four games on the five game trip, the Trail Blazers (8-4) finally return to the Rose Garden Wednesday night when they host the Detroit Pistons (5-5). Opening tip for the game is scheduled for 7:00 PST.

With the unfortunate injury to Travis Outlaw, who will undergo surgery on Wednesday to repair a stress fracture in his left foot, the Trail Blazers desperately needed someone to step up from the second unit. If the recently concluded road trip is any indication, it appears that Rudy Fernandez is more than ready to assume the sixth man role. After struggling with a back injury throughout the preseason, Fernandez needed the first couple of games to shake off the rust that accumulated from not playing many minutes. On the five game road trip, Fernandez scored in double-figures in three of the games, including a team-high 19 points in the loss to Atlanta. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the road trip is the fact that Fernandez shot 12-17 from behind the three point line in the five games.

The other big question mark heading into the road trip was how the three guard lineup of Andre Miller, Brandon Roy, and Steve Blake would continue to function. When the change first occurred, Roy seemed to struggle playing off the ball, but throughout the road trip he discovered the rhythm that most great scorers need. With his scoring touch improving throughout the trip, Roy also did a fantastic job of distributing the ball to his open teammates. In the five games, Roy averaged 18.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists.

Miller also continues to show signs that he is getting more comfortable with the offense and his role in it, as he averaged 11.4 points and 5.2 assists over the past five games.

One player should be excited to go up against the Detroit Pistons is LaMarcus Aldridge. In the two games against Detroit last season Aldridge absolutely dominated on the offensive end, averaging 26.5 points and shooting 55 percent from the field. The 26.5 points were the most that Aldridge averaged against any opponent last season. Last season, the Trail Blazers swept the season series for the first time since the 2002-2003 season.

This will be a much different looking Pistons team with Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva now playing in Detroit. Villanueva will be especially important to contain, because as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks last season, he averaged 24.5 points and 9.5 rebounds against the Trail Blazers.

Wednesday night's game can be seen on Comcast SportsNet, with Mike Barrett and Mike Rice calling the game. Fans can also listen to the game on 95.5 FM The Game. Brian Wheeler and Antonio Harvey will have the call for the radio audience.
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